TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Know the Coach: Pedro Goncalves (Angola)
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is set to showcase some of Africa's finest footballing talents and brilliant tacticians.
Among the coaches leading their teams into the tournament is Pedro Goncalves, the Portuguese mastermind steering Angola's Palancas Negras.
Known for his meticulous planning and ability to develop youthful talent, Goncalves has established Angola as a formidable force in African football, consistently earning accolades for their beautiful style of play.
Pedro Valdemar Soares Goncalves, 48, has been at the helm of Angola since 2019.
His journey with the Palancas Negras began much earlier, working with youth teams and steadily progressing to the senior side.
Profile:
Name: Pedro Valdemar Soares Goncalves
Nationality: Portuguese
Age: 48 years
Current Team: Angola
Tenure: 2019
Coaching Journey and Career Highlights
Pedro Goncalves' expertise in youth development is unmatched. He first gained recognition for leading Angola's U17 and U20 teams to significant achievements on the continental stage. Under his guidance, the U17 team clinched a bronze medal at the TotalEnergies AFCON U17 tournament and represented Angola at the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.
At the senior level, Goncalves made a mark by guiding Angola to a COSAFA Cup triumph in 2024, demonstrating his tactical adaptability and leadership in high-pressure situations.
Coaching Style
Goncalves is renowned for his preference for the 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides balance and structure to his team. His tactics emphasize discipline in defense while encouraging fluid and creative attacking play, a hallmark of the modern Angolan side.
AFCON Experience
Pedro Goncalves is no stranger to the AFCON spotlight. In the 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, he steered Angola to the quarter-finals, their best performance in years. The team's consistent performances under his tenure have solidified their place as regular contenders on the African stage.
Impact on Angola
Goncalves has transformed Angola into a team known for its cohesive, entertaining style of play. With just one loss in their last 15 matches across all competitions, the Palancas Negras have emerged as one of Africa's most reliable and exciting teams.
Fun Facts
Pedro Goncalves' love for Angolan football runs deep. Since arriving in the country in 2015, he has served in various capacities, including coaching Primeiro do Agosto's youth teams and the Angola U17, U20, and CHAN squads, before taking over the senior team.
Vision for the AFCON 2025
With a track record of taking Angola to new heights, Pedro Goncalves is determined to push the boundaries further. His ambition is to lead the Palancas Negras beyond the group stage and deep into the knockout rounds, a feat that would cement Angola’s place among Africa’s footballing elite.
As Angola prepares for the 2025 TotalEnergies AFCON, Goncalves’ tactical brilliance and nurturing leadership will be critical in their quest for continental glory.